In this sprawling city of 20 million officially, and closer to 30 million in reality, there's certainly no shortage of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). While most people are too busy to even connect with their neighbors, every community and area has a few insightful individuals who dedicate themselves to organised social welfare efforts. This is a unique city where someone genuinely trying to help themselves won't go hungry. Feeding the needy is the most common act of kindness here, in this city that appears joyful but holds a lot of underlying sorrow. Life is expensive, and unexpected troubles—mobile snatchings, brief kidnappings or honey traps, bike thefts, or random road accidents—are an everyday reality. Although not proportionally representative of its large population, Karachi has a considerable number of activists of all kinds, except for one particular type, which is a serious concern.

A common observation within Karachi's civil society is the unwelcoming attitude of those who, despite years of effort without significant success, rely solely on their longevity to assert influence. This isn't a reference to individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice, like Parveen Rehman and Sabeen Mehmood, but rather to the second and even third tier of leadership in Karachi. While these individuals often contribute positively to areas such as education, poverty alleviation, and civil rights, many who claim to be climate activists have yet to demonstrate any real impact in that field.

During an environmental theater event, a veteran of the regional newspaper business astutely observed that if civil society........

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